The Vinyl Beat is a new column that will dig up notable vinyl nuggets, past and present.
The Sinister Symphony of the Aztec Death Whistle In the pantheon of historical artifacts that both fascinate and frighten, few can match the eerie allure of the Aztec death whistle. Often misunderstood and underestimated, this small, skull-shaped instrument was a marvel of ancient sound engineering, capable of emitting a scream that could freeze the blood…
Paul W. Klipsch, a visionary in the field of audio engineering, made significant contributions through a series of innovative patents. These patents not only advanced the technology of their time but also laid the groundwork for future developments in loudspeaker design and acoustic engineering. Hereโs an exploration of five of his most impactful patents, including…
“Wonderful loudspeakers that deserve to be front and centre of a two-channel system. These are mini speakers with a massive sound and which represent something unusual in audio โ genuine value for money.”
“What Iโm going to say now with 100% certainty is that I had never heard these two recordings sound better than they did in that room.”
“Sonic Edgeโs driver is based on ultrasound, where ultrasound is generated from multiple speakers, each the width of a human hair.”
Welcome to โThe ABCs of Audio: Hi-Fi Lexicon,โ your ultimate guide to understanding the fundamental terms and concepts in high-fidelity audio. Whether youโre a complete beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this article breaks down complex audio jargon into simple explanations. We use two levels of simplicity: In the following sections, weโll cover essential…
Welcome to my series Treasures from the Vinyl Vault. In it, I will feature select gems from my approximately 12,000 ever-growing vinyl collection, accumulated over a 45-year period and counting.
Michael Jacksonโs Berlin Wall Concert: When Pop Met Politics In the annals of pop culture, Michael Jacksonโs legacy is studded with iconic performances and groundbreaking achievements. Yet, one performance stands out not just for its musical brilliance but also for its geopolitical significance. On June 19, 1988, the King of Pop performed in West Berlin,…
Many of us use our listening rooms as a place to escape the world and its problems, so that we may decompress and recharge our batteries. One thing I, as an audiophile, discovered is that the better the sound quality in my room, the more Iโve been able to connect emotionally with my music. That…
Doug More of The Sound Advocate likes what he hears in the new Heaven 11 Billie MKll class-D / tube integrated amplifier.
โItโs holographic. I close my eyes and can feel the sound of my system around me, like thereโs a soft breeze running through everything. That is the ultimate.”
Iโve listened to many audio setups over the years but I only recently heard a โcost-no-objectโ system. It happened in the Focal-Naim showroom at Montreal Audiofest 2024. Its cost? Close to $1 million dollars if you include cables and acoustic treatment. My verdict? Mind-blowingly good, and Iโm not someone who would naturally equate higher price…
“Why You Could Hate the Budget Component I Love; Warranty Time for a DAC; and the New Vera-Fi Scout Loudspeaker”
In the spring of 1967, a seismic shift occurred in the rock music panorama with the release of โAre You Experienced,โ the debut album by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This album didnโt merely enter the music scene; it exploded into it, bringing with it a new era of sound innovation and cultural expression that would…